Boston GAA: Galway to the fore, Slow game goes to Leitrim, McGuigan’s the man

Galway had too many weapons for Offaly in a high scoring hurling contest in the second senior hurling game of the year. Offaly had a good start to the outing with the first two scores but Galway then reacted with a 2-01 salvo with Robbie Jackson grabbing the first. In the next fourteen minutes Galway broke the game open. They had 1-08 to a solitary Offaly point from Shane Sweeney with Robbie Jackson very prominent. Naill Marshall did have a goal at the break to narrow the lead to 3-09 to 2-04 but the sides also lost a player each to a skirmish that occurred. Offaly dominated the start of the second half as they came all the way back to within two. Marshall with his second goal, and excellent points from Aiden McInerney were the foundation. A goal by David Fahy and a slew of points from Madden Jackson and David King of the bench again put daylight between the sides and Galway had their first win of the season.

Leitrim did just enough to get the win over Armagh in this senior football contest. They were involved in a tit for tat first half but were always able to hold a one point advantage after a brace from Donal Hartnett half way through the half. A flowing move just before the half-time whistle resulted in a punched goal from Dan Doona that put breathing room between the sides. They added 1-01 in the first fourteen minutes of the second half and never allowed Armagh to threaten the posts. Armagh did have a unique goal from Chris Morton when he met a cross from Shane Conlon with a cracking header but they were always playing catch-up. Mark Dobbins and Kevin McGeeney traded scores to complete the afternoon and the tame Leitrim victory.

Tyrone used a splendid performance by Shane McGuigan to easily account for Dublin. McGuigan kicked 8 wonderful points from frees and play to give the side a bonefide superstar. The apple doesn’t all far from the tree, however, as Frank is his father. Dublin scored first but could only add two further points in the opening half while Tyrone kicked 1-05 with Adam Fitzgerald fisting in after a six player excellent move. Dublin did have a clear-cut goal chance in the first half but Damien Corrigan stopped a shot by Mickey Henderson. Tyrone added to their lead as the second half opened with 1-04 against a point for Dublin. Morgan had the goal after a perfect pass from Farrell gave him the easy task. Dublin did have resurgence when Naill Coughlin had a brace of goals in the 14th and 17th minutes but the same player crashed a penalty against the crossbar when they could have made the last five very interesting. As it was Tyrone kicked six of the last seven points with man of the match McGuigan getting three for the comfortable win.